Nearly three quarters (73%) of
The study of 2,000 motorists commissioned by car manufacturer
When it comes to making memories, talking to passengers, worrying about how much fuel is left and engine noise are revealed as other common distractions.
The research discovered that over a third (34%) are more likely to remember a car journey when travelling with others - as opposed to being alone. A third (33%) also state that the most prominent memory from previous driving trips have been who they have travelled with, beating amazing views (33%), passing famous landmarks (30%) and the destination itself (29%). However, when asked about what sounds are most associated with a road trip, the sound of the engine (38%) surprisingly beat the radio or podcasts (36%) and the sound of the sea (16%).
Top 10 most memorable drives in the
Through
London After Hours: Notting Hill to Greenwich
From Highlands to Coast: Glenshee to Banff portion
Dartmoor: Tavistock to Ashburton
One in four (26%) motorists don't pay as much attention to their surroundings when driving as they should and rarely take time to notice the scenery they're driving past. 44% agreed that taking breaks is a sure-fire way to help focus on the journey and the driving experience, as well as planning the route (38%), talking to passengers (28%) and even making sure you're well rested (28%) and fed beforehand (23%).
Part of what holds us together as families, communities or society are the memories that shape us and being able to reflect on our most defining experiences together. After years of lockdowns, the
Dr Martha Newson Cognitive scientist who partnered with
Dr
Choose your car snacks wisely. Opt for higher protein treats like nuts or cheese over sugary snacks or refined carbs, as regular sugar consumption is associated with poorer memory. Dark chocolate at least 70% in cocoa is the exception to this rule because it is rich in flavonoids, which are linked to increased blood supply to parts of the brain associated with memory. Anti-inflammatory foods including fruit, veg sticks, and certain teas are also ideal for optimum cognition, positively influencing neuronal signalling.
Minimise distractions. While the playlist might be important, other noises could distract you from remembering the journey itself. Distracting information, such as engine noise or a cluttered car environment, places a burden on our working memory. As the brain is busy processing the distracting information, our performance in other areas must decrease. So, if we want to support our visual memory to process beautiful scenery, it helps to have an uninterrupted journey with distractions minimised.
Really stretch your legs when you have a rest break.
A Spokesperson for
If you're driving somewhere new this summer, treat it like an adventure and opportunity to see new things, try local restaurants and make new memories and be more present with the people you're travelling with. Decarbonising road transport is part of our wider vision for the future, and we hope that this campaign will play a role in inspiring people to switch to electric vehicles.'
A fifth (20%) say they miss out on making memories on drives due to engine fumes and noise, easily solved by switching to electric. Electric vehicles enable fast charging, maximum driving range and lots of interior space to make the everyday journey as enjoyable as possible.
To discover the
All research was carried out by One Poll in
1 Top 20 things that make a car journey memorable:
Driving along the coast
Mountain views
Good weather
Driving near lakes and rivers
Quaint villages
Who you travel with
Seeing a significant landmark i.e. Angel of the North
Stopping at viewpoints
Driving through a
Passing colourful fields
Driving through forests
Stopping at a beach
Seeing animals in fields by the road
Finding a country pub for lunch
Driving through hilly areas
Crossing a border i.e.
Going over bridges
Taking A/B roads over the motorway
Hilly roads
The amount of traffic
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